Introduction: Leather NATO Watch Strap

Before last month, they had all been made of goatskin leather, which we liked for a lot of reasons, but after a recent roadtrip to the Horween tannery in Chicago, we decided to give their steerhide leather a try on this NATO-style watch strap. We've been really impresses by the results.

Step 4: Hand-burnished Edge

Step 5: Holding for Burnishing

A clamp to hold the leather for hand burnishing is included as part of the packaging cardboard.

Remove it by gently breaking the two outer perforated lines on the packaging sheet, being careful not to break the scored middle line. Bend the clamp in half along the scored line and insert the strap.

Step 22: Tucking the Extra Length

Step 23: Finished Product

Depending on the edge finish you choose, it should take between 30 minutes to 1 hour to finish this strap. We were super impressed with how well it turned out - particularly considering how much hand-burnished Horween leather watch straps tend to cost.

And that's it! If you have the chance to make one, please let us know what you think of the process. We're always trying to improve it.

I love this idea... do you have this in a woman's size band? I have the Timex Expedition watch and have yet to find a band that will work for me. I have a small wrist, so finding a leather band that is not just for appearances is not going to happen. At this time I am using a nylon type that is okay.. but I really prefer the look and the feel of the leather. Great idea!

Hi Marianne818, this strap will fit a wrist as small as 6.5" circumference (measure at your wrist bone). It is offered in 16mm-22mm widths. Just search for the "lug width" of your particular Timex Expediation model to find out what width you need for your watch. You can email us with any questions at hi@fabnik.com. Thanks for the interest!